A framework on prohibition of animal plasma in halal surimi products

Abstract

The process of intentionally adding animal plasma additive into surimi products as a cheaper protein alternative is regarded as a critical halal issue. According to Shariah perspective, intentionally adding any blood derivatives into any products is prohibited because it is a part of filthy (najs) sources. However, some opinions stated that the prohibition is subjected to spilled-out blood and not the animal plasma additive since the two have different physical characteristics. To refute this opinion, the researcher selects the issue of intentionally adding animal plasma additive into surimi products as the scope of research. To carry out this research, four main objectives are highlighted. The main objective is to establish a framework on prohibition of animal plasma in halal surimi products. Meanwhile, there are three sub-objectives have been highlighted. Firstly, to analyse ‘illah and hikmah of prohibition spilled-out blood and permissibility of non-spilled out blood. Secondly is to justify prohibition’ reasons of intentionally adding animal plasma in halal surimi products. Thirdly, to explore other Shariah principles as supportive arguments on the prohibition of animal plasma in halal surimi products.The researcher applies library research and interviews as means of data collection. Numerous library sources from electronic and non-electronic sources such as fiqh books, academic journals and trusted websites in Malay, Arabic and English are used by the researcher to collect information related to the research. Meanwhile, semi –structured interviews have been conducted among 9 experts including shariah experts, halal executive and food technologists from different backgrounds to establish rigorous arguments through e-mailing and virtual face to face medium. The researcher applies content analysis and thematic analysis to analyze the collected data. For the first objective, the result shows that ‘illah prohibition of animal plasma due to its impurities (filthy) that clearly stated in Islamic legal texts. In fact, its utilization also threatened consumers’ safety which part of the wisdom behind of its prohibition. Compared to non-spilled out blood is categorized as tolerable filth materials (ma’fu an’hu) and it’s a part of umum al-balwa matter. It’s utilization safe for the consumers as proven scientifically. For the second objective, the results demonstrate that intentionally adding of animal plasma into halal surimi products leads to imperfect dilution (Istihlak fasidah) due to several reasons; it involves human intervention, animal plasma properties remain at the end product and the prohibition of spilled-out blood attributes to all blood components. For the third objective, the prohibition is in line with the principle of Istishab (presumption of continuity) and Maslahah al- Mursalah (preservation of public interests). The answerable objectives are applied by the researcher to develop a framework on prohibition of animal plasma in Halal surimi products based on the relationship between these identified objectives. The findings contribute to novelty of research in the Contemporary Fiqh Consumerism field to clarify the issue of intentionally adding animal plasma in Halal surimi products since there is no comprehensive study has been conducted to highlight of its prohibition.